Switching system



Aug. 12, 1958 E. A.- DAVIS 2,847,531

SWITCHING SYSTEM Filed April 21, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet FIG. I.

FIG. 2.

W I) W" EDWARD A.DAVIS gem/$1M g- 12, 1958 E. A. DAVIS 2,847,531

SWITCHiNG SYSTEM 23 2 ggdsu -t la Aug. 12, 1958 E. A. DAVIS SWITCHINGSYSTEM Filed April 21, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 EDWARD A. DAVIS Al1g- 2,1958 E. A. DAVIS 2,847,531

SWITCHING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 21. 1954 FIG.

d pfw W n C y W l/l- W Vfv I: M m 10 7 M T FIG. l5.

INVENTOR S m D A D m w D E M T 47 0% f/ a W [I i W 1%. M W T n ATTORNEYSAug. 12, 1958 E. A. DAVIS SWITCHING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April21, 1954 FIG. l6.

FIG. l7.

FIG. l8

INVENTOR EDWARD A. DAVIS mzm ATTORNEYS United States Patent SWllICl-IINGSYSTEM Edward A. Davis, Harwichport, Mass.

Application April 21, 1954, Serial No. 424,735

7 Claims. (Cl. 200-87) This invention relates to switching systems ofthe type wherein different ones of a plurality of circuits may be closedselectively in accordance with different positions assumed by a switchactuating member, and more particularly relates to an anemoscope havingsuch a switching system; although it is readily understood that theswitching system of this invention may be used in other environments. i

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application filedAugust 10, 1953, Serial No. 373,191, for Switching System, now PatentNo. 2,744,972, dated May 8, 1956.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a switching systemadapted for use in an anemoscope and which is operable effectively inresponse to low torque, establishes positive and proper electricalcontacts for all directional positions of the anemoscope and is sturdy,durable, resistant to wear and deterioration and has long useful life.

Another object of this invention is to provide an anemoscope having theswitching system of this invention and which has improved performance,is simple, compact and durable in construction, light in weight, hasrelatively few parts, is easy and simple to assemble, permits widerdimensional tolerances of the parts and permits the easy se of provenelectrical contact materials.

Other objects of this invention will be in part obvious and in partpointed out hereinafter.

in accordance with this invention the anemoscope has shaft or sleevewhich rotates with a weather vane and a rotary switch whichhas a seriesof stationary directional contacts and a movable actuating contact whichis movable into contact with the directional contacts selectively andmeans are provided for positioning the actuating contact in accordancewith the rotational positions assumed by the shaft or sleeve in responseto the turning of the weather vane, to close a circuit through thedirectional contact which corresponds with the directional position thenassumed by the weather vane; the stationary contacts and the movablecontact being connected to the opposite poles of a source of currentsupply. The means for so positioning the movable contact may be purelymechanical or may utilize magnetism or gravity or both.

The invention, accordingly, consists in the features of construction,combinations of parts and arrangements of elements which will be setforth hereinafter and the scope of the application of which will bepointed out in the claims that follow.

in order that a clearer understanding of this invention may be had,attention is hereby directed to the accompanying drawings, forming apartof this application and illustrating certain possible embodiments ofthis invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of one possible embodiment of theinvention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a vertical, sectional view thereof, :and is taken on the line3-3 of Fig. 1;

2,847,5I'll 'ice Fig. 4 is another vertical, sectional view thereof, andis taken on the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal, sectional view taken along the line 55 of Fig.4;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a modified lever member; s

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a further modification of a lever member;

Fig. 8 is a view in perspective fragment showing a form of vane meansmodified over that shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram of a circuit which may be employed in ananemoscope embodying this invention;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but shows a structuralmodification;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view showing one possible form of switchactuating means utilizing gravity;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view thereof and is taken on line12-12 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a vertical sectional View showing one possible purelymechanical form of switch actuating means;

Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view thereof and is taken on the line14-14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is :a vertical sectional view showing one possible form ofswitch actuating means utilizing both gravity and I magnetism;

Fig. 16 is a horizontal sectional view thereof and is taken on the line16-16 of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is a vertical sectional view showing still another form ofswitch actuating means utilizing gravity; and

Fig. 18 is a horizontal sectional view thereof and is taken on the line18-18 of Fig. 17.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, there is shown a switchingsystem lil having a base 12, a mounting bracket 14, mounted on the baseand a support receiving member 16 adjustably mounted on the bracket 14-.A support standard 18 is held in member 16 as by a set screw. Supportstandard 18 extends vertically upwardly of the device and is adapted toreceive and support the major working elements of the invention.Internal extension stem 48 and external adaptor 42 are both supported bythe standard support 18; the stem is in fixed relation to the standardand the adaptor is in rotatable engagement with the stem.

A casing member 30 may consist of two semi-circular cover portionssecured together as at 36 to form a cylinder. At the bottom of thecasing 30, a collar 32 may depend to provide a bottom closure for thecasing. A circular roofing 38 is shown to encompass the upper portion ofthe casing 30 to prevent rain seepage intothe working elements of thedevice. Shield 40 of roofing 38 encompasses an annular projection 34,attached to the casing 30. The casing 30 is made of a dielectricmaterial.

A vane member 50 is secured in fixed relation to the extension 42.

Leading from the standard support 18 is a conduit 96 adapted to encase aplurality of electrical conductors each of which is connected at one endto signal lamps of an indicating scope 200 and at another end to aplurality of contact points set within the casing In Fig. 3 of thedrawings the detailed structure of one form' of the device is shown.Standard 18 is shown to have a cylindrical bore 20 at the base thereof,said portion being adapted to contain the conduit 96 and to retain saidconduit within the support as by an adaptor 22. A plurality of apertures24 pass through the support member 18 to guide conductors 94therethrough. Upon an upper portion of the support 18 there is provideda bore 26 adapted to receive an extension rod 48 in semi-fixed en- 3gagement. The extension rod 48 and the support member 13 together,comprise the standard for the major working elements of the invention.Upon the upper extremity of the standard support 18, an annularlybevelled surface 28 is machined for hearing a contactor element 78described hereinafter.

Again with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawings, a rotatable externaladaptor 42 engages the support extension 48 by means of a ball bearing46. Adaptor 42 is provided with an axially machined bore 44 adapted toreceive the fixed shaft 48 in bearing relation thereto. Vane means 59consists of at least one wind engaging surface 52, and an adaptorengaging surface 54. Preferably, the vane 50 comprises at least two windengaging surfaces 52 joined as at 54 to form a U-shaped spring vane bentupon itself, at the point of adaptor contact.

The support standard 18 is preferably made of an electrically conductivesubstance. This support serves as a ground conductor to carry a loadreceived from one or more contact points through the contactor to grounda ground lead 58 engaging the standard 18 as at 56.

A lower portion of the vane adaptor 42 is shown as at 60. This lowerportion 60 consists of a cylinder section 62 having disc-like flange 64protruding outwardly therefrom to provide a mounting 66 for the magnet68 fixedly secured eccentrically thereto.

- A magnetically permeable lever member 70 in the form of a disc ispassed onto the shaft 48 axially thereof as at 72. Aperture 72 is cutcentrally of the lever member 7 and is sufficiently wide to enable thelever member 70 to engage the support extension 48 as by floatingrotation in cam relation. A spacer 74 engages the shaft 48 as at 76 in amanner similar to that of the lever member 70 with respect to shaft 48.Spacer 74 serves as an auxiliary lever member.

A contact member 78 is placed beneath the spacer 74 to engage the shaft48 as at 89. Contact member 78 is composed of a magnetically impermeablematerial adapted to effect maximum conductivity of electrical energyfrom a plurality of contacts 90 to the standard support 18. Carbon,graphite or compositions of these and other lubricant materials withmetal can be substituted in accordance with the desired wear, lubricantand conductivity characteristics. The contact member, as the spacer andlever member, is provided with an aperture centrally therethrough andsuitable for effecting floating rotation thereof about the shaftextension 48.

Spaced along the shaft 48 and in adjustable relation thereto, there isprovided a semi-fixed collar member 82. Collar 82 serves as a fulcrumfor the lever 70, one portion of the lever being constantly proximate tothe magnetic field produced by the eccentrically disposed magneticmember 66. By virtue of the relation of the lever member 79 with thefulcrum member 82 and the spacer 74, a compound lever system is etfectedagainst the contact member 78.

A dielectric contact housing 84 is fixedto the upper portion of thestandard 18. This housing is adapted to contain a plurality ofcontactors 90, for peripheral spacing about the support 18. Within thehousing 84 there are a plurality of apertures 88 passing therethroughfor receiving the contactor points and connectors 92.

One form of circuitry which may be used to carry out the presentinvention is shown schematically in Fig. 9' of the drawings. Again, thecontact points are shown as at 98' peripherally disposed about a housing84. The support member is shown centrally of the housing 84 as at 18 andthe contactor disc 78 is in phantom detail. In the form shown herein,the circuit lies from ground 58 through the conductor-standard 18,contactor 78 to contactor points 90; therethrough to contactor pointjacks .92

. through lead wires 94 to terminals at the plurality of lamps 202disposed radially about scope 200 and thence through a concentricconductor 204 through transformer 2% and finally to ground 208. i

Structural modifications of the lever member of Fig. 3 are illustratedin Figs. 6 and 7 respectively. With respect to the modification shown inFig. 6, the spacer 74 and the lever member 70 of Fig. 3 have beencombined into a unitary structure wherein the unitary lever comprises acircular magnetically permeable disc having a depression 102 formedconcentrically inwardly of the periphery of the disc. Within the disc 1%there is provided an aperture 104 centrally thereof for passage over theshaft 48 of the device. The base of the depression 182 is adapted toserve the same function as the secondary lever-spacer 74 shown in Fig.3.

The modification shown in Fig. 7 again is made of a magneticallypermeable material, this particular modification having a plurality ofperforations 112 spaced peripherally about the center of the device, thecenter being defined by an aperture 114 adapted for passage over a shaft48. In the utilization of this modification, a lever-spacer 74 isrequiredfor direct contact with contactor member 78. By virtue of theconstruction shown, direct contact to the spacer 74 is maintained whilethe magnetically permeable lever 110 is attracted to the magnetic fieldwithin which it resides.

A modified vane structure is shown in Fig. 8 wherein the vane comprisesat least two exposed members 122 flaring angularly outwardly from africtionally engaging bend 124 joining the wind engaging members 122.

In operation, the vane 50 may be rotated as by variations in prevailingwinds to certain bearings. Each hearing is transmitted by the vaneengaging adaptor 42 to the eccentrically disposed magnetic member 68,such that the hearing may be registered by magnetically attracting thelever member 70 upwardly. Thus the lever member 70 is impinged upwardlyagainst the fulcrum 82 and again by the downward thrust against thespacer 74 for imposing leverage upon the contactor-lever 78 between theContact point 90 and the bevelled surface 28 of ground standard 18.Referring to Fig. 3, the specific operative relation to parts is shownin some detail. It is there shown that the lever member 70 does notactually engage the magnetically disposed element 63, nor does the lever78 engage the contact member 73. One of the principal features of thedevice resides in the inherent quality thereof to effect positivecontact, with one or more points such that the rotational disposition ofthe magnet 68 shall not disturb contact by wiping or sliding motion asis prevalent in devices heretofore constructed. The lever 70 being madeof a magnetically permeable material and the contactor 78 being made ofa non-magnetic highly conductive substance, maximum efiiciency ofoperation is obtained. Moreover, the floating and rotational dispositionof the lever and associated contact element permit desired non-wipingcontact and a responsive sensitivity heretofore unknown.

A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 10 wherein the compoundlever system previously described is adapted to mechanical means asopposed to means for effecting electrical contact. In Fig. 10, there isshown a unitary lever element 100 having a depression 102 suitable fortransmitting the downward force of the lever against a contact member78. In this instance, as in the original construction, the cam-likeforce of depression 102 on contact member 78 is effected intermediate ofthe point of contact and the bevelled surface of support 18 rockablysupporting the contact member. Contact member 78 is preferably made of alubricant material such as a graphite. As in the aforementionedinnovation, so here, contact members are arranged peripherally about thesupport standard. In this modification, the contact members comprisereciprocably operable piston units which are spring loaded for return tobattery upon release from contact. The unit consists of a shaft 132 andpiston 134 suitably recessed in the support housing 84. Chambers 136 and138 respectively confine the piston and cam thereof for movement withinthe housing 84. At the lower extremity of the chamber 136 there isprovided a suitable valve for restricting back pressures into thechamber. From chamber 136, there is provided a conduit 140 fortransferring pressures to a bellows 142. Bellows 142 is adapted toconvert pressure to mechanical energy.

By the device herein shown, the force of wind may be utilized totransmit mechanical force through a movable magnetic field and aninnerconnected leverage system, to effect work or alternatively toprovide means for effecting mechanical registry for indicating thevarying disposition of wind direction.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 and 12, gravity instead ofmagnetism is utilized. The adaptor 42 is provided with a centraldownwardly extending sleeve 42 through which support 48 passes. The disc70 rests rockingly directly on the rounded top of support 18 and isrockable universally into direct contact with the different contacts 94)separately. Disc 70 now serves as the movable contact of the rotaryswitch comprising contacts 90 and contact disc 70. A sidewise extendingarm 43 is fixed to the sleeve 42 of adaptor 42 to rotate therewith, andtoward its outer end the arm has a vertical bore, as at 45, in which isslidably seated a pin 51 having a weight 53 at its lower end. Thisweight 53 rests by gravity on the top surface of contact plate 70 nearits periphery with sufiicient force to tilt the disc 70 down intocontact with that switch contact 90 which is at that time under theweight 53, thus closing the circuit from the support it; to thatparticular contact 90. The bottom of the weight preferably is smooth androunded so as to reduce to a minimum friction between the weight 53 andthe contact disc 70 as the weight is moved about on the disc inaccordance with movement of the weather vane and adaptor 42. Thusgravity acting through weight 53 will cause the contact disc 70 to makecontact with different ones of the switch contacts 90 in accordance withthe different positions assumed by the weather vane.

The modification shown in Figs. 13 and 14 is quite similar to that shownin Figs. 11 and 12, and differs therefrom in that instead of gravityalone pulling the weight 5'3 down on the contact disc 70, a weight 55 isprovided which is spring-pressed down on the disc 70 by means of aspring arm 81 which at its outer end is fixed to the weight 55 and atits inner end is secured to a collar 83 which is fixed to the adaptorextension 42', as by set screw 57 to rotate therewith.

In the modification shown in Figs. 15 and 16, both gravity and magnetismare utilized. In this form the support 18 does not extend to or througha contact housing;

and a housing 61, is provided which carries not only the switch contacts90 but also carries at its center a common contact 91 which is inconstant connection with one side of the source of current supply. Thiscontact 91 protrudes further above the housing 61 than do thedirectional contacts 90. A circular cage 63 having an open bottom issecured to the top of housing 61 and encircles the group of contacts 90and 91. Cage 63 has a top 65 which at its center has a downwardlyextending bearing recess 65 and an upwardly extending bearing sleeve 67.A pin or rod 69 is fixedly secured in the bore of adaptor 42. Pin 69protrudes downwardly from adaptor 42 and at its lower end extendsthrough bearing sleeve 67 of cage 63 and rests rotatably in the bearingrecess 65 of the cage top 65.

A disc 93 of conducting material is loosely confined in cage 63 by thesides of the cage, the expanse of the disc being great enough to extendover all of the contacts 91 and 99, and by reason of the fact thatcontact 91 is higher than any of the contacts 90 this disc 93 may berocked universally on contact 91 into contact with any of the contacts90 to establish a circuit between contact 91 and the particular contact90 contacted by the tilted disc. To rock or tilt the disc 93 intocontact with a contact 90 a weight 71, shown in the form of a ball, andof magnetic material such as steel is loosely disposed on the top ofcontact disc 93 so that when the ball 71 is near the periphery of disc93 it will tilt or rock the disc on contact 91 into contact with theparticular contact 90 that is under the ball, and thus establish acircuit between common contact 91 and that particular contact 90. Todraw the ball to the periphery of contact disc 93 and to move the ballabout on the disc in accordance with different positions assumed by theweather vane, a magnet 73 is suspended outside of and in proximity tothe side of cage 63 to be moved about the cage and by magneticattraction carry the ball 71 about the inside of the cage and around onthe disc 93. Magnet 73 is attached to the lower end of a vertical anglemember 75, the free end of the upper arm of which is secured to pin 69for rotation therewith. As shown, the arm 75 is fixed to a collar 77which is fixed to the pin 69 to rotate therewith. Thus magnetismpositions the weight 71 in positions on disc 93 and over a contact 90 inaccordance with the positions assumed by the weather vane and gravityexerted through weight 71 tilts or rocks the disc 93 into contact withthat directional contact 90 which corresponds to the position assumed bythe weather vane. Lugs or a shoulder piece 79 may be provided on theinterior of the casing 39 to support the contact housing 61 therein.

The modification shown in Figs. 17 and 18 is quite similar to that shownin Figs. 15 and 16 but instead of utilizing magnetism to shift theweight 71 about on the contact disc 93, this form utilizes mechanicalmeans. To this end the pin or shaft 69 extends entirely through the top65 of the cage 63 and protrudes into the interior of the cage, and therehas fixed to it for rotation therewith a collar 85. A side wiseextending arm 87 having a bifurcated outer end 89 is fixed to the collarto rotate therewith and the two fingers of the bifurcated end of arm 87are disposed on opposite sides of the weight 71, whereby the weight 71is carried about on the contact disc 93 as the weather vane assumesdifferent directional positions.

The adaptor 42 and its extensions 42' and 69 constitutes a shaft whichrotates with the weather vane.

The operation of the switching system and of an anemoscope embodying theswitching system and all the modifications thereof will be clear fromthe above description and no further description of the operation isbelieved to be necessary.

As many changes may be made in the above construction and as manymodifications may be made without departing from the scope of thisinvention it is understood that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted asillustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical switching device having a support, a vertical shaftrotatably carried on said support, means for rotating said shaft, acontact disc concentrically disposed with respect to the axis of saidshaft and in floating arrangement with respect thereto, a series ofstationary contacts arranged concentrically about the axis of said shaftand located beneath the plane of said disc in the vicinity of theperiphery of the disc, means spatially aligned with an edge portion ofsaid disc for mounting said disc to be universally rockable on itscenter progressively into contact with different ones of said stationarycontacts selectively in accordance with the diametrical line of the discalong which the disc is rocked, a switch actuating member connected tosaid shaft to rotate therewith and mounted to move about said discadjacent its periphery, a freely vertically movable power connectionbetween said actuating member and said disc in the vicinity of theperiphery thereof and circumferentially movable by said actuating memberwhereby said disc is progressively rocked into contact with differentones of said contacts in accordance With different positions of theactuating member relatively to said disc, a source of electricalcurrent, said stationary contacts be ing connected in parallel to onepole of said source of current and said means mounting said disc to beuniversally rockable on its center being connected to the other pole ofsaid source of current.

2. An electrical switching device as set forth in claim 1 in which saidactuating member and power connection between said actuating member andsaid disc comprises an arm fixed to and extending laterally from saidshaft and spaced above said disc and a weight mounted for free verticalreciprocation in said arm, said weight resting on the upper surface ofsaid disc in the vicinity of the disc periphery and being movable abouton said disc by said arm.

3. An electrical switching device as set forth in claim 1 in which saidactuating member and power connection between said actuating member andsaid disc comprises a spring arm fixed to and extending laterally fromsaid shaft and spaced upwardly of said disc and a Weight carried on theouter end of said arm and bearing under the spring pressure of saidarm-on the upper surface of said disc in the vicinity of the discperiphery and being movable about said disc by said arm.

4. An electrical switching device as set forth in claim 1 in which saidstationary contacts are mounted in a housing, and wherein said meansspatially aligned with an edge portion of said disc comprises a ballcage mounted on the top of said housing and surrounding said stationarycontacts, a common contact mounted in said housing centrally of saidstationary contacts and protruding upwardly of the housing higher thansaid stationary contacts, said contact disc being loosely disposed insaid cage and confined therein by the side walls of the cage and at itscenter resting on said common contact so as to be rockable universallythereon into contact with different ones of said stationary contacts inaccordance with the diametrical line of the disc on which the disc isrocked,

the disc in the vicinity of its periphery being over all of saidstationary contacts, a weight of magnetic material resting on andmovable about the disc in the vicinity of its periphery and means for somoving the weight about on the disc, said means including a verticalangle member fixed to said shaft to rotate therewith and having an armextending laterally from the shaft and an arm depending from thehorizontal arm and disposed outside of said cage in the vicinity thereofand a magnet carried on said depending arm outside of and close to theside walls of the cage, whereby said weight is moved about on said discby magnetic attraction of said magnet in accordance with the movement ofsaid magnet about the cage by said angle member and shaft, and the discis rocked along different diametrical lines of the disc into contactwith different ones of the stationary contacts in accordance withdifferent rotative positions of said shaft.

5. An electrical switching device as set forth in claim 1 in which saidstationary contacts are mounted in a housing and are exposed at the topof the housing, and wherein said means spatially aligned with an edgeportion of said disc comprises a ball cage mounted on the top of saidhousing and surrounding said stationary contacts, a weight resting onand movable about the disc in the vicinity of its periphery, an armfixed to and extending laterally from said shaft and having a bifurcatedouter end embracing said weight horizontally, whereby said Weight ismoved about on said disc by said arm and the disc is rocked alongdifferent diametrical lines of the disc into contact with different onesof the stationary contacts in accordance with different rotativepositions of said shaft.

6. A switching system according to claim 1 in which there are aplurality of contact points and means for reciprocably mounting saidcontact points on said support beneath said disc.

7. An electrical switching device as set forth in claim 1 in which saidstationary contacts are mounted in a housing and are exposed at the topof the housing, and wherein said means spatially aligned with an edgeportion of said disc comprises a ball cage mounted on the top of saidhousing and surrounding said stationary contacts, a weight resting onand movable about the disc in the vicinity of its periphery, an armfixed to and extending laterally from said shaft and having means on theouter end thereof operatively associated with said Weight and operableto circumferentially move said weight whereby said weight is moved abouton said disc by said arm and the disc is rocked along differentdiametrical lines of the disc into contact with different ones of thestationary contacts in accordance with ditferent rotative positions ofsaid shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,395,042 Fuegel et a1 Oct. 25, 1921 2,339,063 Deakin Ian. 11, 19442,399,944 Sealey May 7, 1946 2,492,727 Ballard Dec. 27, 1949 2,611,051Kolff Sept. 16, 1952 2,744,972 Davis May 8, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 163,350Great Britain Sept. 8, 1921

